A Proud Lineage

Squamish Nation Elder describes her unique family history and shares memories of Vancouver.
2 minutes 9 seconds


By Slawiya Andrea Jacobs 
I have been married for 54 years to Paitsmauk, I have 5 children, 13 grand children and 12 great grand children. I am retired but very active in my community by sitting on several committees and helping our Elders Center and longhouse. I enjoy crafting and travelling and I am very proud of my heritage. 

Encroaching Vancouver

Squamish Nation member and lifelong resident of traditional Squamish territory shares memories of family gatherings and of the bounty of the land.
1 minute 43 seconds

By Paitsmauk Dave Jacobs 
Paitsmauk is a historian and storyteller of his people. He graciously shares his family and cultural knowledge and ensures that it is passed down to the younger generations. 

My Mother, the Captain

The family heritage of The Kitsilano Showboat.

2 minutes 10 seconds

By Barry Leinbach

Barry Leinbach grew up on the stage of The Kitsilano Showboat alongside his mother, Bea. Bea has been known as "The Captain" for almost all of the 40-some years she was the on-stage and behind-the-scenes forced behind this venue for community dancer, singers and musicians. On the stage modeled after the famous movie set, son Barry talks about growing up with The Captain.

Steel Cleats and Chaperones

Growing up with lessons of self-respect, pride and good parenting.

2 minutes 10 seconds

by Rose Point

Rose Point is Thompson and Stalo who grew up living mostly with her Aunt and Uncle, on Seabird Island Reserve. She attended St. Mary's Residential School near Agassiz as a day student. She raised her children on the Musqueam Reserve with her husband Cagney Point. She is an early-childhood educator, BCIT's Aboriginal Elder-Advisor and is the family archivist. 

Angie’s Outstanding Life With a Smile!

Young Vancouver woman living with cerebral palsy faces life with uplifting optimism

1 minute 46 seconds

By Angie Meyer

Angie works part time in an office and enjoys spending time with her family, friends and community exploring all that Vancouver has to offer. 

Scents Of The City

Using her nose and her poetry, Stephanie shares her favourite places to sniff in the city.

2 minutes 44 seconds

By Stephanie Jagger 

Stephanie has lived in Vancouver for 27 years. She grew up in Kerrisdale, which happens to be the same neighbourhood that her parents and grandparents spent their youths. Stephanie has worked in places and travelled all around the world but insists that Vancouver is the most beautiful city she's found so far.

Silver Darlings To Silver Screens

The early days of movie theaters in Vancouver. 
2 minutes 57 seconds  

By Shirley Sutherland

As a history enthusiast and second generation Canadian, Shirley always has enjoyed hearing of her family’s roots in Scotland, lives in Canada and of the opportunities and challenges faced. As a member of one of Vancouver’s early movie theatre families, she enjoyed many benefits.  Childhood memories include having easy access to shows for herself and friends (some still fondly recall seeing A Hard Day’s Night seven times), home screenings at the family’s annual Halloween party, and witnessing the neon lights of Vancouver’s Theatre Row.  She recalls the impact and family concern that the arrival of television brought to the motion picture industry. 

Rolling And Racquets

From skateboarding on the streets of the city, to playing tennis at the courts in Stanley Park. 
2 minutes 56 seconds

By Paul Wiens
Paul makes his career in visual effects for film. He finds balance in his life through sports and friendships.

Rolling In Vancouver

Memories from a man who drove Vancouver city trolley buses for more than 40 years.
2 minutes 39 seconds

By Angus McIntyre
Recently retired, Angus first started driving buses in Vancouver in 1969.  During his career he had 4 separate employers; he first started with BC Hydro and Power Authority, which in 1980 changed to Metro Transit, which in 1985 changed to BC Transit, and in 2000 changed to Translink Coast Mountain Bus Company. With a love for photography, especially Kodachrome slide film, Angus has taken pictures throughout his career which document the changes in the city and it's transit system.

The Cycle

The positive impact of cycling.

1 minutes 33 seconds

By Travis Pawlak

Over the summer Travis worked as a youth worker at the West Point Grey Community Centre. Currently he is in University in Sweden.

Stories from Locarno Beach

Living at the beach during the 1930's and 1940's!

2 minutes 32 seconds

By Marguerite and Ron Delmonico

This brother and sister duo are both enjoying the retired chapter of their lives. They still have heart connections to the beach, but have since moved a little farther away. The Delmonico Family were fixtures in the community of West Point Grey!

Carving a Living

Mark enjoys living and working in his West End neighbourhood.  
1minute 39 seconds 

By Mark Redsky  

Mark grew up in apple country, in a place called Kelowna. He found his way to Vancouver after a couple years in Calgary and he fell in love with all Vancouver had to offer a naturalist and an artist. Vancouver and its proximity to the ocean continues to inspire Mark in his stone creations and screenplays.

"Working" at the Beach

From adolescence to adult hood...

1 minute 53 seconds

By Glenn Schultz

Glenn still owns his family home across from the beach. He has stories about growing up at the beach to entertain for days on end!

Family Business

A produce store that, through a stroke of fate, stayed in the family.

4 minutes 10 seconds

By Girlie Koo

In her retirement, besides visiting with her tons of friends that stay in touch from her days at J.B. Hoy Produce, she works magic with her orchids and enjoys walks through her Kerrisdale neighbourhood. Girlie has many talents, two of which are knitting and sewing. It turns out she knitted and sewed her own clothes as well as for her husband and children!
Originally collected for Kerrisdale Collective Memory

Stubborn Streak

An inspirational story for anyone who has ever been told that they can't do something.

3 minutes 22 seconds

By Shirley Gordon Olafsson

Shirley feels like she had a marvellous life! She has spent her whole life teaching kids sports: track and field, basketball and curling, in order to give all kids a  good experience with sports regardless of their abilities. She is in the BC Sports Hall of Fame for both basketball and track and field and she has also been inducted into 'In Her Footsteps' to recognize her inspirational achievements on behalf of women in sports!

Finding Normal

The meaning of soccer is more than mere play.

1 minute 30 seconds

By Jinny Lim

Jinny enjoyed editing her 2011 school annual and she was elected President of the whole school. She starts her term in the Presidential Office starting in Septemeber 2012. 
Jinny plans to be a doctor

Aberthau Mansion

The appreciation of building in West Point Grey.

2 minutes 11 seconds

By Madeleine Hebert

Madeline moved to Vancouver from the Island to study Environmental Architecture at UBC. 

She plans to get her masters and then hopes to open her own architectural firm. 

Joe and Sarah

Joe and Sarah and their dog, Kevin.

It all started in the cafeteria at UBC...
2 minutes 44 seconds


By Sarah Monahan and Joe Sales
Sarah, originally from Washington, is now a doctor and has her own practice.  Joe is a photographer from Vancouver.  They have three boys, Johnny, Patrick and Paul.  The family recently traveled to Japan, and enjoy camping and going to music festivals.  Joe says the first thing that drew him to Sarah was her voice, saying she sounded just like a "southern belle".  They moved to Vancouver together from the states earlier then they planned, saying that George Bush getting re-elected was a driving force in their move away from the USA!  They love Vancouver and are passionate about cooking, art, espresso and music.

Spanish Bank Creek

Salmon spawn in our city.
3 minutes


By Ron Gruber

Ron Gruber is an Artist, outdoorsman, and long term resident of Point Grey, he’s spent his life in the neighbourhood and seen it change from having wildlife like pheasants and quails to becoming more residential.  The Spanish Bank Creek restoration has been a group effort for more than 12 years.  Ron and several other local residents are certified stream keepers.  He loves seeing new people experience the creek and learn about salmon.

Serendipity in the 70's

A case of being in the right place at the right time...

3 minutes 39 seconds

By Geoff McMurchy

Geoff, the Artistic Director of KickStart Arts - a non profit organization for disability arts and culture, arrived in Vancouver in the 70's. When he first moved to Vancouver from Alberta he lived near Dunbar and King Edward.  He now lives in Victoria, and is a noted choreographer, sculptor and dancer.